Steve Finnan joins Espanyol

[co. down green]

From Setanta (http://www.setantasports.com/en/Sport/News/Football/2008/09/15/PremLiga-Finnan-passes-Espanyol-medical/?facets/sport-space/football/great-britain-locale/)

“Irish international Steve Finnan, Espanyol’s last signing of the transfer window, underwent a medical examination this morning before joining up with the rest of [coach Tintin] Marquez’s squad,” read a statement on the club’s official website.

“The player was subject to stringent checks at the Clinica Creu Blanca, despite having checked over fully before signing his contract on the 31st of August.

“Finnan only arrived in Barcelona El Prat [airport] last night and was called straight up into the squad.

“This morning he missed training due to the medical tests but will be officially presented as a Perico this evening at 6pm [5pm UK time] at the Estadi Olímpic de Lluis Companys.

“His first training session will have to wait until tomorrow morning and only then will he train with his new team-mates.”

[noby]

anyone speak Spanish?

Google does, but it doesn't speak Catalan.

[superfrank]

Jays, that's more like French then Spanish.

[tetsujin1979]

Google does, but it doesn't speak Catalan.
Didn't realise it was Catalan
According to http://traductor.gencat.net/index_en.jsp it translates as

?Finnan passes the medical revision
The last sign up of the Spaniard|Spanish, Steve Finnan, has passed this morning the medical evidence|tests before incorporating into the work to|in the orders of Márquez. The player has undergone the examinations pertinent to the White Cross Hospital, already although it|he was examined in a complete way before formalizing its|his|her|their sign up, which was produced on the 31 of August.

To|In the to be summoned with its|his|her|their selection, Finnan did not arrive until last night to Barcelona. This morning it|he|she has traveled to carry out the medical evidence|tests and this same afternoon, at 18:00 hours, Lluís Companys will be presented officially in the Olympic Stadium|Stage. It will not be until tomorrow, to|in the to have day of rest today the first staff|template, that the player trains with its|his|her|their new colleagues|partners.

The former player of Liverpool has played two matches|parties since it|he|she closed its|his|her|their sign up for the Spaniard|Spanish, both with its|his|her|their selection, in the one that is indisputable. Ireland won Saturday spent in front of Geòrgia, for 1-2, and he|she|it tied on zero Wednesdays in the face of the selection of Montenegro. In both matches|parties, on the nine lateral perico went out of titling and, while in front of Geòrgia it|he was substituted in minute 80, in front of Montenegro he|she|it contended for the whole of the match|party.

[noby]

Here's hoping that he/she/it gets on well at his/her/it's new club.

[Colbert Report]

Liverpool could use Finnan tonight to set the offside trap. Dossena was made to look like a donkey.

[Dodge]

He came on at left back at the weekend

[Colbert Report]

He was subbed off 32 minutes into the first half today. I hope he's not injured.

[Green Tribe]

just heard that too, don't know the full story?

[Closed Account]

Skysports reports that he was replaced because of injury.... Uh oh. Stephen Kelly or Kevin Foley

[gspain]

Either a tear or strain hopefully just a strain. Scan today.

[irishfan86]

I'm happy to have Finnan back, and if the only way he'll play for us is if he gets to play at right back, that's fine.

But why is it okay to play left back for Espanyol and not okay to play left back for Ireland?

[third policeman]

I'm happy to have Finnan back, and if the only way he'll play for us is if he gets to play at right back, that's fine.

But why is it okay to play left back for Espanyol and not okay to play left back for Ireland?

Did he actually say he was not prepared to play left back for us?

[Dodge]

But why is it okay to play left back for Espanyol and not okay to play left back for Ireland?

Because if he refuses them, he's out of a job

[geysir]

Did he actually say he was not prepared to play left back for us?
No he did not say that. And Dodge should know he did not say that.

In reference to
'Kerr having a preference for Stephen Carr at right-back, opting either to use Finnan out of position or not at all'.
Finnan responded
: "That was a frustrating time for me. I am a right-back, full stop. But I never really played in my position under Brian. I didn't feel I got a fair crack of the whip."

If Finnan was playing for a club who treated his football ability in the same way for year after year, he would have asked to move to a club that would play him at RB, or at least express that it was frustrating time.

[Dodge]

No he did not say that. And Dodge should know he did not say that

When did I say he did or didn't? :confused:

I only pointed out that players are more likely to be flexible with their clubs as their livelihoods depend on it. Far too many simply don't care enouigh about the national sides

[geysir]

This is a thread about Steve Finnan and the question was asked about Finnan.
The merest glance over Steve Finnan's club history will tell you that the position he was chosen to play was RB.
The merest glance over his Irish caps tells you he was flexible. In fact for 5 years he was flexible in almost every game that he was selected for and flexible when he was dropped.

In general, players at international level are flexible. They have a favoured position but play in other positions when asked. In general I'd say that a player at club level is regularly chosen to play in his favoured position.

[third policeman]

I know that Kilbane is now a candidate for cannonisation, but i still worry about his defensive capabilities against the likes of Italy and Bulgaria. We have good cover at right back (not Kelly) in the shape of Foley and Joey O'Brien, so maybe finnan is needed more at left back? Posted onto the Chris McCann thread earlier about how many of our better "younger" players (McCann, Foley, Garvan, O'Toole, McCarthy, Walters and St Ledger etc) are not being brought on when we have so many substandard players (Kelly, McShane, Bruce, Miller, Whelan, Long, Murphy) holding down places simply because they were hanging around at the right time or Brady knew who they were.

I dont doubt Trap's ability to get the best out of players, but I am sure he could get more out of better, younger players who are on the way up. I've just caught on how far off the thread I've digressed so i'll shut up and sign off.

[tetsujin1979]

Why not Kelly? He's a decent right back. Joey O'Brien hasn't played in defence (never mind right full) in over a year. He's been in midfield for Bolton under Megson.

[NeilMcD]

I know that Kilbane is now a candidate for cannonisation, but i still worry about his defensive capabilities against the likes of Italy and Bulgaria. We have good cover at right back (not Kelly) in the shape of Foley and Joey O'Brien, so maybe finnan is needed more at left back? Posted onto the Chris McCann thread earlier about how many of our better "younger" players (McCann, Foley, Garvan, O'Toole, McCarthy, Walters and St Ledger etc) are not being brought on when we have so many substandard players (Kelly, McShane, Bruce, Miller, Whelan, Long, Murphy) holding down places simply because they were hanging around at the right time or Brady knew who they were.

I dont doubt Trap's ability to get the best out of players, but I am sure he could get more out of better, younger players who are on the way up. I've just caught on how far off the thread I've digressed so i'll shut up and sign off.


What makes Foley better than Kelly then.

Whelan has been man of the match for 2 intertnational games but he should be dropped for players with potential. It seems you have picked names that are not in the squad and are some way to have a dig at the manager. I see very little evidence for mose of the ones that are not in the squad over the ones that are. Although I agree that Miller should not be in the squad.

Is that a sly dig at Kilbane in the first part of your post as it would say it all if you did not like Kilbane but you are a big fan of Stephen Ireland.

[third policeman]

What makes Foley better than Kelly then.

Whelan has been man of the match for 2 intertnational games but he should be dropped for players with potential. It seems you have picked names that are not in the squad and are some way to have a dig at the manager. I see very little evidence for mose of the ones that are not in the squad over the ones that are. Although I agree that Miller should not be in the squad.

Is that a sly dig at Kilbane in the first part of your post as it would say it all if you did not like Kilbane but you are a big fan of Stephen Ireland.


No I love and totally respect Kilbane. It's just that he has very little experience at left back. Contrary to an assertion on a different thread he did not play that many games there for Wigan last season and is not playiong there now either.. I suppose the reference to "cannonisation" did have a link to Stephen Ireland. Kilbane has been slated on this site for years, but he is now being acclaimed not so much for his performances but for always turning up (even when sporting a broken cheek bone).

Still reckon that Foley is different class to the Birmingham reserve, Kelly. Lets see where they both are in two years time and which one of them is playing in the premiership and for Ireland? McCann, O'Toole, Garvan and McCarthy are players who are being watched regularly by premiership clubs and I reckon at least thee of them will be playing there in the not too ditant future. Whelan was let go by one Premiership club and is now on the bench at another which is not exactly blessed with midfield talent. He did a job for us in two games against mediocre teams. Let's see how he copes against better class opposition.

[Baker]

Doesnt look too good for the Cyprus game....

From http://jp.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=881318

A slight tear in his left thigh muscle means that he could be out for as long as three weeks and will certainly miss out on the glamorous visit of Barcelona to the Estadi Olímpic on Saturday.

[youngirish]

No I love and totally respect Kilbane. It's just that he has very little experience at left back. Contrary to an assertion on a different thread he did not play that many games there for Wigan last season and is not playiong there now either.. I suppose the reference to "cannonisation" did have a link to Stephen Ireland. Kilbane has been slated on this site for years, but he is now being acclaimed not so much for his performances but for always turning up (even when sporting a broken cheek bone).

Still reckon that Foley is different class to the Birmingham reserve, Kelly. Lets see where they both are in two years time and which one of them is playing in the premiership and for Ireland? McCann, O'Toole, Garvan and McCarthy are players who are being watched regularly by premiership clubs and I reckon at least thee of them will be playing there in the not too ditant future. Whelan was let go by one Premiership club and is now on the bench at another which is not exactly blessed with midfield talent. He did a job for us in two games against mediocre teams. Let's see how he copes against better class opposition.
I agree 100% about Whelan. All these posters on here who are singing his praises are the same people who were claiming Darren Potter was the next Roy Keane after a couple of good games against similarly poor opposition in the states a couple of seasons ago. Ireland will struggle against better teams with players of the quality of Whelan in the first team who is as I've stated countless times before a good Championship player but not Premiership standard and definitely not International standard. Hopefully he's just a stop gap until one of the players mentioned above gets a move to the Premiership which could be as soon as January (I can see Garvan or at a stretch McCann more confortably filling Whelan's position in an Ireland shirt than the others mentioned).

Foley is also a far better player than Kelly who has now found his level in the Championship IMO.

[Stuttgart88]

Whelan was let go by one Premiership club and is now on the bench at another which is not exactly blessed with midfield talent. He did a job for us in two games against mediocre teams. Let's see how he copes against better class opposition.My own take on that is that Stoke are trying to get results through muscle not guile. We don't have the resources to do that in the Irish set up. Whelan & Reid have looked like the most functional CM pairing we've had since Keane & Kinsella. I'm not saying Whelan is the real deal but knocking his club status is a bit petty I think. He scored a winner and made a crucial goal saving tackle in the two competive games we've played so far and generally has kept the ball moving, has shown the moral courage to show to Dunne & O'Shea (as Dunne has exlicitly commended). I'm glad he's ahead of Miller, I think he uses the ball miles better than Carsley and is a very different type of player to some of the younger options coming through. He's also better equipped to play the role he plays than Andy Reid who has far more talent. Trapp has identified a role for him and he fills it well. Of the young tyros coming through they're all exciting prospects and I'd have some in the squad but none is that similar in style to Whelan - this is where I disagree with YI. Most are more like Steven Reid in my opinion.

Also, he wasn't let go by City though he obviously wasn't getting a look in for the first team at the time either.

[NeilMcD]

No I love and totally respect Kilbane. It's just that he has very little experience at left back. Contrary to an assertion on a different thread he did not play that many games there for Wigan last season and is not playiong there now either.. I suppose the reference to "cannonisation" did have a link to Stephen Ireland. Kilbane has been slated on this site for years, but he is now being acclaimed not so much for his performances but for always turning up (even when sporting a broken cheek bone).

Still reckon that Foley is different class to the Birmingham reserve, Kelly. Lets see where they both are in two years time and which one of them is playing in the premiership and for Ireland? McCann, O'Toole, Garvan and McCarthy are players who are being watched regularly by premiership clubs and I reckon at least thee of them will be playing there in the not too ditant future. Whelan was let go by one Premiership club and is now on the bench at another which is not exactly blessed with midfield talent. He did a job for us in two games against mediocre teams. Let's see how he copes against better class opposition.



First thing, How do you know these people who were slating Kilbane as you are saying, are now the same people who are praising him. There is not one opinion on this site but a collection of opinon and there is no consensus. You seem to be wanting to debate with a perceived consensus but its just a mix of opinions.

Also what Kilbane was slated for was his lack of ability to play centre mid and his lack of awareness for that role. His dedication to the cause was never questioned as far as I know. Now he is being praised for his further dedication due to injury etc and also the fact that people see the left back spot as a place that he can play and it is a role that suits him better than centre mid.

[NeilMcD]

I agree 100% about Whelan. All these posters on here who are singing his praises are the same people who were claiming Darren Potter was the next Roy Keane after a couple of good games against similarly poor opposition in the states a couple of seasons ago. Ireland will struggle against better teams with players of the quality of Whelan in the first team who is as I've stated countless times before a good Championship player but not Premiership standard and definitely not International standard. Hopefully he's just a stop gap until one of the players mentioned above gets a move to the Premiership which could be as soon as January (I can see Garvan or at a stretch McCann more confortably filling Whelan's position in an Ireland shirt than the others mentioned).

Foley is also a far better player than Kelly who has now found his level in the Championship IMO.

Name one person that said Darren Potter was the next Roy Keane. Secondly people said that Glen Wheland played well against Montenegro and Georgia,and he was voted man of the match by various people.

You have an awful habit of putting words in peoples mouths and using hyperbole to some how prove your argument. THere is a middle ground you know, for you it seems somebody is either great or they are utter pants. Usually the guy who is not being picked is the guy who is great and you want to make yourself look like some guy who scouts all over England and knows more than the average punter out there.

[NeilMcD]

My own take on that is that Stoke are trying to get results through muscle not guile. We don't have the resources to do that in the Irish set up. Whelan & Reid have looked like the most functional CM pairing we've had since Keane & Kinsella. I'm not saying Whelan is the real deal but knocking his club status is a bit petty I think. He scored a winner and made a crucial goal saving tackle in the two competive games we've played so far and generally has kept the ball moving, has shown the moral courage to show to Dunne & O'Shea (as Dunne has exlicitly commended). I'm glad he's ahead of Miller, I think he uses the ball miles better than Carsley and is a very different type of player to some of the younger options coming through. He's also better equipped to play the role he plays than Andy Reid who has far more talent. Trapp has identified a role for him and he fills it well. Of the young tyros coming through they're all exciting prospects and I'd have some in the squad but none is that similar in style to Whelan - this is where I disagree with YI. Most are more like Steven Reid in my opinion.

Also, he wasn't let go by City though he obviously wasn't getting a look in for the first team at the time either.


Well said a bit of balance and well thought out opinon on it. Fair play Stutts.

[youngirish]

Name one person that said Darren Potter was the next Roy Keane.

Plenty were singing his praises claiming he was brilliant having obviously never watched him before. I correctly stated he was sh*t having watched him in more than one game.


Secondly people said that Glen Whelan played well against Montenegro and Georgia,and he was voted man of the match by various people.

Both teams are the International equivalent of lower Championship teams possibly even League 1 in Georgia's case so I wouldn't read too much into those performances. All the goldfish on here as usual easily forget he was rubbish in the previous friendlies against better opposition.


THere is a middle ground you know, for you it seems somebody is either great or they are utter pants.

Not true I think Glen Whelan is average.



Usually the guy who is not being picked is the guy who is great and you want to make yourself look like some guy who scouts all over England and knows more than the average punter out there.
Not true I do just know more. Way more. It's a hard life being this clever though I can tell you.

[third policeman]

First thing, How do you know these people who were slating Kilbane as you are saying, are now the same people who are praising him. There is not one opinion on this site but a collection of opinon and there is no consensus. You seem to be wanting to debate with a perceived consensus but its just a mix of opinions.

Also what Kilbane was slated for was his lack of ability to play centre mid and his lack of awareness for that role. His dedication to the cause was never questioned as far as I know. Now he is being praised for his further dedication due to injury etc and also the fact that people see the left back spot as a place that he can play and it is a role that suits him better than centre mid.

Kilbane has had very very few supporters on this site whether he was playing centre mid or left mid. I have nothing agsinst him and totally admire his dedication to the cause. I dont think however that dedication ncessarily makes him our best option at left full. Finnan is a natural full back and has played in both fullback positions. O'Brien has also played many more times as a full back than Kilbane, and Foley is getting rave reviews at Wolves. I am not saying that Kilbane should never get a game, but that we should be willing to consider the possibility of playing Finnan there given our overall fullback options.

[NeilMcD]

Kilbane has had very very few supporters on this site whether he was playing centre mid or left mid. I have nothing agsinst him and totally admire his dedication to the cause. I dont think however that dedication ncessarily makes him our best option at left full. Finnan is a natural full back and has played in both fullback positions. O'Brien has also played many more times as a full back than Kilbane, and Foley is getting rave reviews at Wolves. I am not saying that Kilbane should never get a game, but that we should be willing to consider the possibility of playing Finnan there given our overall fullback options.

Again, who was saying he is our best option at left back. Kilbane had lots of people sticking up for him, both a few years ago and now also. He has also had his critics but his critics were never against him personally it was more to do with his ability to play centre mid. He is a dedicated player for Ireland who has probably found his best position for Ireland. Is he the best option, that is open to debate which is fair enough.

[NeilMcD]

Plenty were singing his praises claiming he was brilliant having obviously never watched him before. I correctly stated he was sh*t having watched him in more than one game.


Both teams are the International equivalent of lower Championship teams possibly even League 1 in Georgia's case so I wouldn't read too much into those performances. All the goldfish on here as usual easily forget he was rubbish in the previous friendlies against better opposition.


Not true I think Glen Whelan is average.


Not true I do just know more. Way more. It's a hard life being this clever though I can tell you.


Again you have not said one person who said he was the next Roy Keane. I don't think anybody said that and nobody said he was brilliant. I think some people may have said it was a brilliant performance or something to that effect.

Again who said that Whelan was the real deal and that he was the future of our midfield. What people said they were delighted with his performances and that he was a success in there for those particular games.

You put words in people mouths. You then disagree with the words that you have put in their mouth.

Your last line says it all.

[third policeman]

Again, who was saying he is our best option at left back. Kilbane had lots of people sticking up for him, both a few years ago and now also. He has also had his critics but his critics were never against him personally it was more to do with his ability to play centre mid. He is a dedicated player for Ireland who has probably found his best position for Ireland. Is he the best option, that is open to debate which is fair enough.


Actually that is the very question I posed when suggesting that maybe Finnan should play at left full. Niether did I have a go at Kilbane other than to suggest that he is not experienced in this position. What exactly are we argoing about here?

Totally agree however that Whelan will be found out and he is not our best long or medium term option in this position. Garvan, McCann, McCarthy and possibly O'Toole all have more to offer as have Lee Carsley, Andy Reid and Stephen Ireland.

[geysir]

Looks almost a certainty that Finnan will be out of the Cyprus game.
And Kelly is out for a month (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/birmingham_city/7636305.stm)

Who are the replacements? I'm happy enough with keeping O'Shea in the middle

[youngirish]

Trapp has identified a role for him and he fills it well. Of the young tyros coming through they're all exciting prospects and I'd have some in the squad but none is that similar in style to Whelan - this is where I disagree with YI. Most are more like Steven Reid in my opinion.

Garvan performs a very similar role for Ipswich to what Whelan does for Ireland. Holding player, breaking up the play, doesn't get forward too much but excellent at distributing the ball from deep.

McCann is slightly more attacking and runs with the ball a bit more.

[Irish_Praha]

Looks almost a certainty that Finnan will be out of the Cyprus game.
And Kelly is out for a month (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/birmingham_city/7636305.stm)

Who are the replacements? I'm happy enough with keeping O'Shea in the middle

Kevin Foley would be a possible replacement. J O'Brien would also be a possibility but as someone pointed out he hasn't been playing RB this season so maybe it would be better to play Foley there. He's supposed to be having a good season so fa with Wolves. Of course another option is McShane but I don't know how he's getting on at Hull. Unlike LB we have a few half-decent options at RB; even if they don't have much international experience.

[drummerboy]

Looks like McShane will get the nod, as he was the one brought on in Montenegro.

[Stuttgart88]

Garvan performs a very similar role for Ipswich to what Whelan does for Ireland. Holding player, breaking up the play, doesn't get forward too much but excellent at distributing the ball from deep.

McCann is slightly more attacking and runs with the ball a bit more.Anytime I've seen Garvan he's got forward far more than Whelan. McCann I think we agree on and I'm sure we all agree that the last thing O'Toole is is a deep lying midfielder.

[Stuttgart88]

Totally agree however that Whelan will be found out and he is not our best long or medium term option in this position. Garvan, McCann, McCarthy and possibly O'Toole all have more to offer as have Lee Carsley, Andy Reid and Stephen Ireland.The point is that Trap has decided we need someone to sit deep, offer options to the defence, make tackles / protect the defence and use the ball well.

Of the players you cite above, only Carsley in my opinion could play the same role as Whelan. YI and I disagree over Garvan but I don't doubt Garvan's ability - I've practically been his biggest protagonist here. Same as O'Toole - big talent but not suited to Whelan's role. I can't comment on McCarthy, Reid is a wonderful talent but I wouldn't trust him in the role that Trap wants played. Stephen Ireland is nothing but an attacking midfielder.

Do you think Carsley ahs more to offer Llong term?

[geysir]

Kevin Foley would be a possible replacement. J O'Brien would also be a possibility but as someone pointed out he hasn't been playing RB this season so maybe it would be better to play Foley there. He's supposed to be having a good season so fa with Wolves. Of course another option is McShane but I don't know how he's getting on at Hull. Unlike LB we have a few half-decent options at RB; even if they don't have much international experience.
Wolves fans have been eulogising about Kevin Foley. I don't know if he has passed Young Irish's pants or not pants test:rolleyes:
If Trap thinks McShane is better than Foley then we should be alright.

[youngirish]

The point is that Trap has decided we need someone to sit deep, offer options to the defence, make tackles / protect the defence and use the ball well.

Of the players you cite above, only Carsley in my opinion could play the same role as Whelan. YI and I disagree over Garvan but I don't doubt Garvan's ability - I've practically been his biggest protagonist here. Same as O'Toole - big talent but not suited to Whelan's role. I can't comment on McCarthy, Reid is a wonderful talent but I wouldn't trust him in the role that Trap wants played. Stephen Ireland is nothing but an attacking midfielder.

Do you think Carsley ahs more to offer Llong term?

What about Joey O'Brien Stutts plays a very similar role for Bolton and geysir I reckon Foley looks good but don't forget McShane looked quality in the Championship a couple of seasons ago.

We'll see when he's in the Premiership which will probably be sooner rather than later.

[NeilMcD]

What about Joey O'Brien Stutts plays a very similar role for Bolton and geysir I reckon Foley looks good but don't forget McShane looked quality in the Championship a couple of seasons ago.

We'll see when he's in the Premiership which will probably be sooner rather than later.

I will start by saying that I like the look of both Garvan and O Toole and Mc Cann.

However all 3 who you are raving about and saying they should be in the squad and the side are all playing Championship football. So if your above point is what you feel, it does not sit easily then with your calls about Garvan and O Toole and Mc Cann to be in the squad ahead of other Premiership players.

Again I will state I am a fan of all 3 players having seen them a few times.

[third policeman]

What about Joey O'Brien Stutts plays a very similar role for Bolton and geysir I reckon Foley looks good but don't forget McShane looked quality in the Championship a couple of seasons ago.

We'll see when he's in the Premiership which will probably be sooner rather than later.

Foley was really impressive for Luton in the FA cup against Liverpool a couple of seasons ago. Only one game, but his form for Wolves since his transfer has also been outstanding. The difference with McShans is that he is obviously a good technical player who also holds his position and has top draw delivery when he comes forward. Even when playing well in the Championship,what impressed about McShane was his determination, attitude and energy, quallities that are never likely to be enough on their own at a higher level.

This is a highly subjective opinion, but the one thing that worries about Trap is his the fact that he sees players like Whelan and McShane as important fixtures in his squad. I may well be wrong but it seems as if he views his job as getting the very best out of a limited group of players. This would reflect the view continually espoused by Brady in his punditing days that we simply do not have the wealth of creative talent that previous Ireland teams had at their disposal. I think we have more talent than Brady and perhaps Trap imagine, its just that a lot of it is languishing outside the current squad. McShane v Foley, Whelan v Garvan, accomodating Andy Reid, getting Stephen Ireland back etc, these are not self-contained debates about the merits of competing players but are about footballing values and maybe also our national self-image.

[NeilMcD]

I think the hurlers on the ditch always like to see free flowing attacking football at international level. But I can see where Trap is coming from. Back to basic with Ireland, getting us hard to beat and maybe knicking a goal up the other end but get everybody working hard within a team unit.

If you can get a unit together at international level you are half way there.

[irishultra]

yeah, and the thing is a lot of countries 'resort' to it. Even Bilics first aim was just to get Croatia hard to beat. all countries our size have to be the sum of their parts. ok thats the case for all countries but particulary ones the size of croatia, ireland, scotland.

[eirebhoy]

Looks like McShane will get the nod, as he was the one brought on in Montenegro.
Georgia. But Foley wasn't on the bench for that game. AFAIK the only position he plays is right back so he'd be down the list of choices for substitutes.

[EastTerracer]

In reference to
'Kerr having a preference for Stephen Carr at right-back, opting either to use Finnan out of position or not at all'.
Finnan responded
: "That was a frustrating time for me. I am a right-back, full stop. But I never really played in my position under Brian. I didn't feel I got a fair crack of the whip."

I think the relevance about this quote is that Finnan never felt comfortable playing at left-back and from my recollection of that period he didn't play that well when he was selected out of position. As a right-back I think he would have been entitled to be annoyed when Carr was consistently selected ahead of him.

We were lucky enough through the 90s to have the luxury of Denis Irwin (who could play comfortably on either side) along with reasonably good cover on both sides. I do think Trapp is less likely to play players out of position as he is a bit of a traditionalist.

[geysir]

Georgia. But Foley wasn't on the bench for that game. AFAIK the only position he plays is right back so he'd be down the list of choices for substitutes.
Are you saying that Foley will be down the pecking order of substitutes because he is less versatile?

[Noelys Guitar]

No Finnan again today.

[tetsujin1979]

Are you saying that Foley will be down the pecking order of substitutes because he is less versatile?
right now I think the pecking order for the right full slot is Finnan, McShane, Kelly, Foley

[Manc Irish Wolf]

Definitely think that Foley should be second to Finnan. He's been consistently brilliant for us this season and would fit right in - a new Dennis Irwin in the making. Love McShane's tenacity but he's simply too reckless. Throw Foley straight in and he'll do the job.